THIS year has seen unprecedented media coverage about childhood sexual abuse and as a result, Devon Rape Crisis has seen a big increase in women contacting them for support.

For many women who have never told anyone about what happened to them in childhood, the new year represents an opportunity for a new start.

Women often hold on to what happened to them for years without telling anyone or seeking support and this can have a big effect on other areas of their lives.

Trained volunteers at Rape Crisis are ready to listen and believe and to offer whatever support is needed to help women to cope and recover. Support is available on the phone, by email or face to face in ten locations across Devon and Torbay.

Devon Rape Crisis would encourage any woman affected by any kind of sexual violence, regardless of how long ago it took place, to contact them for confidential, independent, specialist support by email, phone or in person.

The helpline number is 01392 204174 which is manned Monday, 3pm to 6pm, Wednesday, 10am to 1pm and Friday, 6pm to 9pm.

Email support is available at [email protected]">[email protected]

Face to face support an be obtained by calling 01392 208756 or emailing [email protected]">[email protected]